Gradara the castle, the town and the story of Paolo and Francesca

With the background of the Republic of San Marino and Carpegna, just 3 km from the sea, stands the city of Gradara, theatre of the tragic love story of Paolo and Francesca, mentioned by Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio and D'Annunzio. The first construction dates back to 1150, the Castrum Cretarie independent from Pesaro. Following this, the Malatesta, after buying it, transformed the tower into a Rocca incorporating it into two tall and towered city walls. In 1464 their dominion which had transformed Gradara into an "Embellished villa with superb buildings, pleasant plantations and ample vineyards" came to an end. Then began the era of the Sforzas which gave the Rocca and all-round rinascimental appearance: the massive stair case, the open gallery, the Pala of Andrea Della Robbia and the frescoed room, amongst which gave the small room of Lucrezia Borgia when she lived there for the three years of her marriage to Giovanni Sforza. With the premature death of young Costanzo, and shortly after the death of Giovanni, the Sforza dynasty ceased, and in 1513 Francesco Maria Della Rovere, nephew of Pope Giulio II came on the scene. In 1631 the Rocca, along with the Dukedom of Pesaro and Urbino became part of the Papal State, these were the years of decay, in these years followed the looting French and the earthquake of 1916. In 1920 Ing. Zanvettori buy the Rock and devotes all its substances for a restoration excellent, his death, his wife, Alberta Porta Christmas, she chose Gradara as his stay in spring and summer. Following the death of Alberta Porta Christmas occurred in 1983, the Fortress goes to the state.

"Love, that allows no loved one to be excused from loving..." whispers Francesca seduced by the beautiful aspect of Paolo and abandoning herself to the love passion that will lead her to a tragic end. Around the end of 1200 the Old Mastin, lord of Romagna reinforced his political alliance with Guido Minore da Polenta, lord of Ravenna with the marriage of their respective children, Francesca da Polenta and Giovanni Malatesta, said "The Lame". Giovanni was then lord of Pesaro, Gradara was therefore the closest and most secure place to host the young bride. Francesca often alone in her castle must have with no doubt enjoyed the visits of the handsome Paolo, whom she falls hopelessly in love with. "But one day we read, to our delight, of Lancelot and how love constrained him... That book was a Galeotto, a pandar and he who wrote it, that day we read no more". Gianciotto, surprised his wife and brother in the room is coming first against Paul, while he was about to switch to the sword, Francesca in an attempt to save him, he understood before words pierced before him. He then tried to justify the adultery of the two young people, it was said that Frances had previously been deceived, he had been given and not Gianciotto Paul as his future spouse. The first poet who told the story of Paolo and Francesca was Dante, who meets the two boys in the fifth hand of hell, then the story has inspired poets and artists of all time.